Tips for protecting your computer

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Here are some tips for protecting your computer These tips are designed for those who are always connected to the internet. The more time you spend online, the greater the chances that you get infected with viruses, spyware, trojan, malware, etc The best tip of course is not to go online. But, that may not be applicable nowadays. To minimize the risk of getting infected, try to consider the following: ***Keep your computer updated*** This is the first defense against all those malicious files. Update your operating system and your other protection software. A simple update can easily prevent all the hassle you have to go through once you are infected. ***A good firewall*** A good firewall will automatically block incoming/outgoing traffic that is suspicious. Windows XP with service pack 1 or higher has a built-in firewall. It offers excellent protection against incoming threats. However, it offers zero protection for outgoing threats (those coming from your computer). A lot of these outgoing threats are programs you may have accidentally installed while browsing over some sites. For example, you see a message saying you have to install this software so you can view the page properly. so you allow the program to be installed. Most of the time, the software that you install in itself is safe. It doesn't contain any virus or malicious objects. However, once installed, that's the time it will download viruses and malware. If your firewall doesn't screen outgoing traffic, then you are in high risk against such. ***Install an anti-virus and keep it updated*** In some cases that your firewall allows suspicious files, a good anti-virus should be able to detect it and inform you of such. There are lots of anti-virus software you can get (some of them are even free). Just make sure that you pick one that offers real time protection. Don't go for free versions that only offer on-demand scanning (it will only scan when you direct it to do so). On-demand scanning will only detect viruses that is already IN your computer (and possible already infecting your system). Real time scanning will detect viruses the moment it finds the file. So if you are downloading a file that has a virus on it, real time scanning will tell you it is infected even before it is saved in your computer. ***Install an anti-spyware software and keep it updated*** Besides and anti-virus, you should also get an anti-spyware software. While most anti virus these days also detect software, it's still best to also have an anti-spyware software. Personally, I update my anti spyware software once a week and run a full scan right after it updates. Some software will offer bundled protection (firewall,anti-virus, and anti-spyware). The biggest advantage of this is that it will mean less expenses as you just need to pay for one software. However, in my experience, I have not yet come across a bundled software that excels in all three. A certain software has good anti virus and anti spyware but not very good firewall. Personally, I prefer to have an individual array of software, making sure that i have the best protection available in each category. Also, there are lots of freeware that will do the job (see links at the end) ***Don't open/install files you are not familiar with*** As the saying goes "Curiosity killed the cat." Sometimes when we see a file that we are not familiar with, instinct will tell us to try to open it and see what it does. Try to avoid open such files, especially those in your email. More than 50% of all infections is because of this. People opened a file out of curiosity and ended up being infected. ***Keep a copy of hijackthis*** Hijackthis is a tool used by anti-spyware experts to help them diagnose and offer advice on those people infected with virus/spyware/malware. If in any case, you are still infected, you can go to help forums to seek advice. Most of the time you will be asked to give a hijackthis log. A hijackthis log will give a summary of the things that is in your computer and experts can tell you if something is wrong with this info. A word of caution though, never try to play around with this. It is a powerful tool that can result in serious problems if not used properly. LINKS (all freeware) ***Anti-virus software*** Avast home edition http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html AVG free http://free.grisoft.com Avira Antivir http://www.free-av.com/ ***Firewall*** Zonelabs Zonealarm free edition http://www.zonelabs.com Kerio personal firewall http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio-Download.cfm ***Anti-spyware*** Spybot search and destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ Lavasoft Ad-aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ Ewido anti-malware (has been bought by AVG and renamed as AVG anti-spyware) http://free.gristoft.com Super! Anti-spyware http://downloads2.superantispyware.com/downloads/SUPERAntiSpyware.exe Spyware blaster (automatically blocks access to websites known to contain malicious stuff) http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html ***Tools*** Hijackthis (the new version is now under Trend micro) http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html (old version) http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis (new version) A quickstart guide to hijackthis http://tomcoyote.com/hjt/